Jane Eyre

Jane Eyre
to suggest even the possibility of wrong. I knew such an idea
would shock, perhaps offend you; and you were so discreet,
and so thoroughly modest and sensible, I hoped you might
be trusted to protect yourself. Last night I cannot tell you
what I suffered when I sought all over the house, and could
find you nowhere, nor the master either; and then, at twelve
o’clock, saw you come in with him.”
“Well, never mind that now,” I interrupted impatiently; “it
is enough that all was right.”
“I hope all will be right in the end,” she said: “but believe
me, you cannot be too careful. Try and keep Mr. Rochester at
a distance: distrust yourself as well as him. Gentlemen in his
station are not accustomed to marry their governesses.”
I was growing truly irritated: happily, Adele ran in.
“Let me go,—let me go to Millcote too!” she cried. “Mr.
Rochester won’t: though there is so much room in the new
carriage. Beg him to let me go mademoiselle.”
“That I will, Adele;” and I hastened away with her, glad to
quit my gloomy monitress. The carriage was ready: they were
bringing it round to the front, and my master was the pavement,
Pilot following him backwards and forwards.
“Adele may accompany us, may she not, sir?”
“I told her no. I’ll have no brats!—I’ll have only you.”
“Do let her go, Mr. Rochester, if you please: it would be
better.”
“Not it: she will be a restraint.”
He was quite peremptory, both in look and voice. The chill
of Mrs. Fairfax’s warnings, and the damp of her doubts were
upon me: something of unsubstantiality and uncertainty had
beset my hopes. I half lost the sense of power over him. I was
about mechanically to obey him, without further remonstrance;
but as he helped me into the carriage, he looked at
my face.
“What is the matter?” he asked; “all the sunshine is gone.
Do you really wish the bairn to go? Will it annoy you if she is
left behind?”
“I would far rather she went, sir.”
“Then off for your bonnet, and back like a flash of lightning!”
cried he to Adele.
She obeyed him with what speed she might.
“After all, a single morning’s interruption will not matter
much,” said he, “when I mean shortly to claim you—your
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